The Express Entry is Canada’s main pathway for economic immigration. This year will welcome over 110,770 new immigrants to the country. Here’s to know if you are eligible for Express Entry or not.

This number will also increase to 117,500 in 2025 & 2026. In light of this reality, newcomers & those considering immigration to Canada might find it significant to review eligibility for the programs within the Express Entry system. Well, this is not just to determine their current eligibility but how to build it throughout the coming years. 

What Is Express Entry? 

In order to know if you are eligible for Express Entry, you must first know about the system. Well, Express Entry is responsible for overseeing three Canadian economic immigration programs, i.e., CEC, Federal Skilled Trades Program, & Federal Skilled Worker Program. All these three programs have different eligibility criteria, which candidates must meet to be eligible. 

Once applicants are eligible for one of the Express Entry programs, they can enter the Express Entry applicant pool. At this point, they will be assigned a point score, under CRS, based on human capital attributes & impacted by their marital status. 

IRCC holds draws for Express Entry applicants regularly throughout the year. The department invites candidates who meet the minimum cut-off score to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Moreover, IRCC also recently introduced category-based draws, for those with specific professional experience or language ability which is in demand in Canada. Candidates under any three of the Express Entry programs may be eligible under these draws. 

Upon obtaining an ITA & submitting an application, an applicant must pass all necessary checks & meet the criteria as presented in their application. If this is successful, they will obtain PR status & be free to reside in Canada permanently & to live, work, & study in the nation as they please.  

What Are Eligibility Requirements For FSWP? 

The FSWP is one of the primary pathways for skilled economic immigrants in Canada. 

In order to be eligible under the FSWP, applicants must meet minimum requirements for the program & score at least 67 points based on their human capital factors, under a specific scoring grid for the FSWP. Note that this is a separate score from the CRS score assigned to applicants of all three Express Entry programs upon entering the Express Entry pool.

Moreover, along with scoring a minimum of 67 points under the FSWP selection factors scoring grid, applicants must: 

  • Have a minimum of one year of full-time or equivalent work experience in the last ten years in a skilled profession classified under the NOC TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3.
  • Have validated language ability in either English or French equivalent to a level 7 under CLB for English or NCLC for French. Applicants must score level 7 in all four language abilities. 
  • Meet settlement funds criteria, based on the number of direct family members even if they are Canadian permanent residents & are not accompanying you to Canada. This requirement can be waived if the individual applying is presently authorized to work in Canada & has arranged employment in the country. 

Note that Canada uses the NOC system to classify all jobs. In contrast, the TEER system helps grade level to which that job is, based on the training, experience, & education required to be eligible, along with the responsibilities of the job itself. 

What Are The Eligibility Requirements For CEC? 

Another way to know if you are eligible for Express Entry or not is to know about the CEC immigration program as well. 

The CEC is a pathway for skilled workers & international students within Canada to pursue PR & remain within Canada. These individuals tend to score highly under the CRS for their past Canadian experience & education, along with higher official language ability, which is generally built up over time in Canada. 

In order to be eligible for the CEC, applicants must: 

  • Have obtained a minimum of one year of skilled, technical, or professional work experience within 36 months of the date of the application
  • Have a minimum CLB or NCLC level of 5 for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 level jobs, or a CLB/ NCLC level of 7 for NOC TEER 0 or 1 level jobs 
  • Plan to live & work outside of Quebec

CEC candidates aren’t required to show proof of settlement funds as part of their application. 

What Are The Eligible Requirements For The FSTP? 

The FSTP is an economic pathway available to immigrants/ newcomers who have work experience in an eligible skilled trade. 

In order to be eligible under the FSTP, applicants must: 

  • Have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years before the date of the application.
  • Meet the job requirements for skilled trade under the NOC.
  • Have a valid job offer of continuous paid, full-time employment from up to 2 Canadian employers for a minimum of one year or a certificate of qualification from a provincial/ territorial body in Canada. 
  • Provide proof of basic language proficiency constituting a minimum CLB/ NCLC level 5 for speaking & listening and level 4 for reading & writing.
  • Be able to demonstrate the skills as well as experience, along with performing necessary duties of their profession.
  • Show evidence of funds for settlement in Canada unless presently authorized to work in & employed in the country.